ST. PETERSBURG, Florida (Ticker) -- John Flaherty hit a go-ahead
solo shot after rookie Brent Abernathy ended Darren Oliver's bid
for a perfect game with a home run as the Tampa Bay Devil Rays
posted a 2-1 victory over the Texas Rangers.

Flaherty hit the first pitch from Oliver (7-6) over the
left-field wall with one out in the eighth inning for his second
homer of the season, helping end the Devil Rays' four-game
losing streak.

"I was just trying to get the ball out of the infield," Flaherty
said. "A fly ball to the outfield would have been a bonus for
me, the way I've been going. We really aren't swinging the bats
as a group, especially me. I was just trying to make solid
contact."

Oliver had retired the first 16 batters before Abernathy sent
the first pitch he saw into the left-field stands with one out
in the sixth, knotting the contest at 1-1 with his third homer
of the year.

"He threw a first-pitch fastball," Abernathy said. "I saw that
he was getting ahead of guys. Fortunately, I got my bat on the
ball and got the ball out."

"You can't say enough about the two longballs," Devil Rays
manager Hal McRae said. "It was a fast and entertaining game.
It was a good day for the home team."

In one of his best outings of the season, Oliver only allowed
one other hit as Jason Tyner had a bunt single with two out in
the sixth. The lefthander also struck out eight without a walk
in eight innings.

"I was just trying to stay aggressive and challenge the
hitters," Oliver said of his longest outing of the year. "If
your gonna get beat, get beat like that. It's better than
walking a guy or two and letting them get a big hit to drive in
two or three runs."

Oliver's personal losing streak reached four games. He has not
won since June 28 and entered with a 9.56 ERA in his previous
three outings.

Devil Rays reliever Victor Zambrano (3-1) allowed a walk in the
eighth for the win and Esteban Yan struck out two around a hit
in the ninth for his 10th save.

Tampa Bay starter Ryan Rupe also pitched well, allowing a run
and six hits in seven innings. He struck out eight and walked
one but has not won in six starts since June 14.

"I think I made some pitches when I had to," Rupe said. "I
didn't think I had an overpowering fastball. My changeup was
better than it was last start. My slider was, too."

"Rupe was outstanding," McRae added. "He gave us a good seven.
He didn't run out today. He finished it out. He had it all
working today."

The Rangers scored the game's first run in the fifth inning.
Ruben Sierra led off with a double, took third on Andres
Galarraga's groundout and scored on a single by Michael Lamb.

Flaherty struck out in the sixth before Abernathy homered for
the second time in nine days. The second baseman also went deep
in his major league debut on June 25. All three homers were
solo shots.

"He's done well for a rookie," McRae said. "But what he's
really done is continue to swing the bat here as he did in
(Class AAA) Durham. He's a major plus, to be able to hit at the
bottom of the order."

Ben Grieve led off the eighth by striking out for the sixth time
in his last 10 at-bats, but Flaherty followed with his homer.

"If I can go out there for eight innings and only give up two
runs every time, I think, more than less, were gonna win."

Only four of Oliver's 80 pitches left the infield. In addition
to the home runs, Fred McGriff flied to right field in the fifth
inning and Greg Vaughn flied to left in the seventh.